Get out your love beads and bell bottoms, soul sisters, 'cause today we're bringing power to the people and having a sit in. Er, blog in.
In case you haven't heard yet, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is set to go into effect February 10th. The CPSIA is new legislation designed to prevent goods intended for children from being contaminated with lead, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
Sounds great, right? Well, let's read the fine print. Among other things the CPSIA law stipulates that ALL products intended for children under the age of 12 be sent out for testing; this testing costs hundreds to thousands of dollars per item, and destroys the sample. Everything must be tested, in every color and style the manufacturer sells, even if the original components (for instance fabric or wood) are recognized as safe.
But can't Mattel and WalMart afford this testing? Of course! But what about the Etsy seller who makes wooden blocks, or knits baby hats, or, perchance, sews tiny stuffed squirrels? They can't afford the mandatory testing, and will close down rather than face fines of up to $100,000. Without those independent craftspeople, the mega-corporations--who caused the problem to begin with by mass producing cheap toys in China--will be the winners. And those of us who love the handmade, who have made the choice to create and buy unique gifts for our children, will be the losers.
What can you do? Just click on this link to head to the
Etsy CPSIA Action Kit. In it are lots of ways you can get in touch with the Powers That Be, and let them know to change this law before it destroys handmade!
Rock on, sister.